Search

Legal Questions

I am going to be starting a website where people can watch family guy episodes for free, I want to register the domain 'Familyguy.co.cc' but i would like to know if i am likely to run into some legal issues if i use that domain

totalvac | Performer |
1/4/2012 - 10:31 pm

If family guy i strademarked, you have the domain name taken away fro youthrough an ICANN dispute, be sued for trademark infingement and copyright infringement. Better to come up with an original idea than to steal from someonelse.

MaxKennerly | Window Shopper |
2/20/2011 - 10:40 pm

I imagine you'll run into a lot of issues, both in showing Family Guy episodes for free (since they're copyrighted) and for using the domain name, since it would appear that you do indeed mean for 'familyguy' in the domain to refer to the show. That's also, in many circumstances, a copyright violation. You may wish to research more about 'cybersquatting' laws.

BizResearcher | Window Shopper |
2/15/2011 - 12:23 pm

Do you have the legal right to play episodes of Family Guy without paying a royalty per episode? If not, you could be sued. You really need to talk to an attorney about all the issues associated with your idea.

sharmil | Performer |
2/12/2011 - 4:14 am

First, search the trademark registry to determine if 'family guy' is registered to any person or company. You can find the database at http://uspto.gov It's free to search. If the trademark is registered, then I would advise you not to use it in your domain name, because it could look like you are infringing on the trademark owner's rights. On the other hand, if it is not registered, then you are free to use it. You should talk to an attorney licensed in your state to discuss the specifics, like how you intend to use 'family guy' to advertise.
Good luck.
Sharmil McKee
Business Attorney
http://blog.mckeeoffice.com

davidhussey | Window Shopper |
3/24/2011 - 12:41 pm

Show Replied Text…

First, search the trademark registry to determine if 'family guy' is registered to any person or company. You can find the database at http://uspto.gov It's free to search. If the trademark is registered, then I would advise you not to use it in your domain name, because it could look like you are infringing on the trademark owner's rights. On the other hand, if it is not registered, then you are free to use it. You should talk to an attorney licensed in your state to discuss the specifics, like how you intend to use 'family guy' to advertise.
Good luck.
Sharmil McKee
Business Attorney
http://blog.mckeeoffice.com

i do not have any idea about the legal or illegal content but a main thing i would like to tell you that the domain you are trying to regester is on one of the bad server .co.cc&nbsp;&nbsp; please do not regester this domain&nbsp;&nbsp; always try to regesterr with .com domain . its very useful from Seo point of view.

NicoleD | Former Moderator |
1/13/2011 - 10:34 am

You will likely run into more issues with digital copyright laws.
Digital works, including text, movies, music and art are copyrighted and protected via the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
Read up on Digital Rights to learn if you can proceed with this business idea